Over the past few days I've been playing around with this image of legendary drummer, Buddy Rich. Anyone familiar with drummers and big bands of this era may recognise some similarity between the KSB shield logo and the shields famously displayed on the bass drums of the likes of Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. According to the stories told in my Jazz History classes at Uni, these legends of music hail from a time before television, when folks all went out of an evening and virtuoso big band musicians were idolised as many sports stars are these days; their income and lifestyles reflecting their fame. Crowds would flock to their shows to see them, hanging on every note and applauding every face-melting solo.
Earlier in the week I heard via the radio of a new video project produced by an Australian music film producer revealing just how little money there is in "making it" as an Australian music artist. While I'd always known this was the case, the grim financial state of the Australian live music industry as told by the artists in the video was quite astounding. This has given me a whole new appreciation for the Australian music artists I enjoy and their level of commitment to keeping on going. On a personal level, I've also found it of some comfort in confirming the choices I've made to be where I am now. I'll always love music and performance, but in my spare time! | |